What are the common types of Television Programs?

Common television formats are news programs, interviews, serials, sitcoms, commercials, etc. Television program formats have undergone several changes during the past years. Many new formats and genres are experimented every day.

1.       News

Television news covers a wide range of audio and video information. Basically news is in the form of newscasts, news breaks and headlines. News programs in television include sportscasts, weather reports, film news, etc. News more than an hour or two old may be considered stale. The maximum length for almost any television news story is two minutes, normal length is 30 seconds. A television script is written in present tense. Slang and colorful phrases are avoided in television news writing. In a television news script the titles usually come before names. Abbreviations and direct quotations are avoided. Attribution should come before a quotation. Usage of punctuation is comparatively less in a television news script.

2.      Interviews

Television interviews are mainly two types; news interviews and entertainment interviews. A television interview creates more impact on the audience as the emotions and gestures of the persons convey more message than what they speak.

3.      Discussions

Discussions are common television programs these days. Every news channel conducts discussions on topics of current relevance. The discussion will be on a particular topic and the panelists participate live in the broadcasting. Usually these are live broadcasts. This can be done through teleconferencing, online communication, etc.

4.      TV features

These are non-news or news related programs on a specific subject, which is presented in a way that attracts the audience.

5.      Special events

This is the coverage of events in which audiences are interested. For example, special coverage of election results, cultural events, sports events, etc.

6.      Reality shows

These types of programs normally document actual events and ordinary people instead of professional artists. Such programs are presented without a script and with dramatic and humorous situations.

7.      Musical programmes

These are programs that consist of music videos and in some cases including a host and other programming elements.

8.     Sponsored programmes

Programs produced by individuals and broadcast through television after purchasing time slots.

9.      Soap operas

Soap operas are also called soaps or serials. These are fictional drama about people’s daily life and other issues.

10.  Cookery shows

Programs which are hosted by famous cooks, who teach people about new recipes, are called cookery shows.

Read More

Types of Radio Programmes

A radio format, or programming format, or programming genre refers to the overall content broadcasting over a radio station. For the better understanding of the practical aspects of radio production, one should know about the programme and its types.

1.       Radio bulletins

Among all the spoken word formats on radio, news is the most popular. In India, only All India Radio is allowed to broadcast news. Duration of news bulletins vary from 5 minute to 30 minutes. The longer news bulletins have interviews, features, reviews and comments from experts.

2.      Documentaries/features

The documentary programme is a story of something. It is generally between 15 and 60 minutes in length. The actual length is usually related to the size of the subject and the way in which it is treated. Radio documentaries are also called radio features. A radio documentary is a programme based on real sounds and real people and their views and experiences. Radio documentaries are based on facts presented in an attractive manner or dramatically. Radio documentaries are radio’s own creative format. The producer of a documentary needs to be very creative to use human voice, script, music and sound effects very effectively.

3.      News reels

It is more usual to separate comment from the news by including it in news talks and news reels. The daily news reel of fifteen or more minute’s duration is a popular form of news broadcasting. It contains eye-witness accounts, extract of speeches and reports of other events, commentaries, short talks and interviews in much the same way as a newspaper includes pictures and feature articles.

4.      Drama

A radio drama is different from the drama which is performed on a stage. A radio drama depends on dialogue, music and sound effects to help the listener imagine the characters and story.

There are three methods of radio plays.

- As completely self-contained plays of 60 minutes in length.

- As serial drama of 15 or 30 minute in length in which the action goes forward from one episode to another.

- As series drama, each broadcast generally lasting for 30 minutes and completing one whole episode of a continued story; the principal characters reappear in new situations in each new drama in the series.

      5.  Commercials

Commercials are also known as advertisements. A station which carries advertising obtains it either directly from an advertiser or indirectly through an agency representing an advertiser.

1.       Phone in programmes

In broadcasting, a phone-in or call-in is a programme format in which viewers or listeners are invited to air their live comments by telephone, usually in respect of a specific topic selected for discussion on the day of the broadcast. On radio (especially talk radio), it is common for an entire programme to be dedicated to a phone-in session.

2.      Quiz

Largely studio-based and in-expensive to produce, the quiz show is easily one of the most popular programmes for the family. It’s the sense of participation and involvement in the quiz questions that makes the programme very enjoyable.

3.      Music show

Music programme enjoy much greater popularity than talk shows, as is evident from the popularity of FM channels. We enjoy music for its rhythm, melodies and harmonies and above all for the relaxation it provides.

4.      Talk shows

Radio talks are not public speeches; rather they are chats with a friend who does not see you, but is nevertheless close and attentive to you. Radio talks should give an impression to a listener that the speaker is addressing him or her alone in an informal manner.

Read More